Category: Public Info

COVID-19 prevention still applies to all Union County parks and facilities.

Union County, NJ – Effective at dawn on Saturday, June 13, dog parks and tennis courts will be reopened to Union County residents and visitors who observe precautions against spreading or contracting COVID-19. All Union County parks are open from dawn to dusk. Masks are strongly recommended in all areas, and visitors must maintain social distance of at least six feet.

“I’ve said it before and it bears repeating: COVID-19 does not disappear outdoors,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are carefully and gradually reopening facilities in County parks and following the guidance of public health experts, and we continue to urge visitors to exercise precautions that are proven to reduce the risk of infection.”

Union County parks closed in April in accordance with statewide orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They began opening in May for individual activities such as walking, hiking, and bike riding.

In addition to the dog parks and tennis courts, the County’s golf courses and archery range are have also opened on a modified basis.

All other facilities and equipment in County parks remain closed. Gatherings and group activities are still prohibited.

Union County has two dog parks, located at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside, and Warinanco Park in Roselle.

The County’s tennis courts are located at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield,

services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

, Rahway River Park in Rahway, Unami Park in Cranford/Westfield, and Warinanco Park in Roselle.

Please note that the dog parks and tennis courts are not reserve-able. These facilities are open on a first come, first served basis.

For maps, directions, and more information about County trails, including multi-use paved paths and walking/hiking trails, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation, email parksinfo@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4900.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the Test Center, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds residents that her office has begun mailing Vote-by-Mail ballots to all registered Democratic and Republican voters in Union County.

Unaffiliated voters who wish to vote in the July 7 Primary Election will be mailed Vote-by-Mail applications, and must declare a party in order to receive a ballot.

“When you receive your Vote-by-Mail ballot, read the instructions carefully and fill it out right away using black ink,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Then, do one of the following:”

• Mail it via U.S. Postal Service — postage is prepaid.
• Drop it off at Ballot Drop locations (locations will be announced prior to Election Day).
• Drop it off at the County Clerk’s main office at the County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth, or at the annex office in the Colleen Fraser Building at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.
• Drop it off at the Union County Board of Elections at 271 North Broad Street.

No sample ballots will be sent for the July 7 Primary. Voters can view their sample ballot online at the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com. 

A video explaining how to vote by mail can be viewed at unioncountyvotes.com. Please note the following:

1. Don’t detach anything
2. Use black ink to fill in ovals completely (no check marks or X’s)
3. Place your ballot in the certification envelope and sign the certification envelope
4. Place the certification envelope into the return envelope.
5. Mail or drop off your ballot as noted above.
6. Practice putting your completed ballot together before you seal the envelopes.

Pursuant to Governor Murphy’s Executive Order, the July 7 Primary Election will be conducted primarily by Vote-by-Mail ballots. A limited number of polling locations will be open on Election Day for those who need to vote in person. A list of polling locations is available from the Union County Board of Elections, ucnj.org/boe.

Please note that Vote-by-Mail ballots cannot be used or dropped off at polling locations. In-person voters will use provisional ballots, which will be provided to them at the polling locations.

The following deadlines apply for the July 7 Primary Election:

• Final day to register to vote in time for the Primary Election: June 16
• Deadline to APPLY by Mail for Primary Election Vote By Mail ballot/unaffiliated voters to declare a party: June 30
• Deadline for a walk-in to obtain a vote-by-mail ballot: July 7 before 8:00 p.m.
• Primary Election Day: July 7, polls close at 8:00 p.m.
• Deadline to mail/postmark or drop off a VBM ballot- July 7 at 8:00 p.m.

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds notaries who have a time restriction for swearing-in that they can make an appointment to visit the County Clerk’s offices in person to be sworn in. Individuals seeking to register trade names, tax waivers and clerk’s certificates can also make an appointment for in-person services.

Everyone seeking these services in person is required to make an appointment in advance and wear a face mask at all times, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. No other in-person services are available at this time.

“We have very carefully resumed a limited number of in-person services in accordance with statewide guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “As we have throughout the outbreak, my staff will continue to provide assistance with other services by phone, email, fax, or postal and delivery services.”

The following in-person appointments can be made for the County Clerk’s main office in Elizabeth, by calling the Business Division at 908-527-4966 (office hours are 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday):

Notary swearing-in

Tax waivers

Clerk’s certificates

Trade names

The following in-person appointments can be made for the County Clerks’ annex office in Westfield, by calling 908-654-9859 (office hours are 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday):

Notary swearing-in

Clerk’s certificates

Trade names

Please note that the County Clerk’s passport services have been suspended except for life-or-death emergencies within three days of travel, in accordance with U.S. State Department guidelines.

For information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

For office locations, and for assistance with other Union County Clerk services visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

Information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, is available at ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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Union County, NJ – To help continue “flattening the curve” of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is distributing masks and gloves to adults with disabilities who are participants in the Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP).  Distribution of the personal protective equipment began this week through the County’s Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs.

The masks and gloves were provided through a partnership with the New Jersey Division of Disability Services, as part of a statewide initiative to provide 500 PASP participants with protective equipment at no cost during the COIVD-19 outbreak. 

“During the outbreak, PASP has continued to provide resources that enable people with disabilities to live independently, and proper protective equipment is an important part of that effort. We thank Governor Murphy and our partners in New Jersey State government for working diligently to protect our residents during this crisis,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. 

“We established the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs in an effort to ensure that public resources are available to people who are all too often overlooked. Since then it has become an invaluable part of County services, and it has become a vital part of our COVID-19 response efforts,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is the Freeholder liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. Freeholder Granados launched the first Office for People with Special Needs in New Jersey during his tenure as Chairman in 2018. 

PASP is a statewide program for individuals with physical disabilities, administered by each county in New Jersey. The program helps those with physical disabilities live independently and remain active in their communities, by providing assistance with activities of daily living such as meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, dressing, bathing, shopping and errands.

The program provides up to 40 hours per week of routine, non-medical personal care assistance for adults with permanent physical disabilities ages 18-70 who are employed, preparing for employment, attending school or involved in community volunteer work, and who are able to self-direct their own services.

In Union County, PASP is administered by the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs. The Office is part of the Division of Individual and Family Support Services under the Union County Department of Human Services,

For more information about PASP, including eligibility for assistance, contact Helen Alvarado, Coordinator, 908-527-4845.

For information about all Department of Human Services programs, visit online at ucnj.org/human-services or contact the DHS Action Line at 888-845-3434.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the Test Center, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ –Union County Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado advises voters in Clark and Linden of the following polling location updates for the July 7 Primary Election:

1. All wards in Clark will be voting at the Municipal Building.
2. Linden Ward 6 will be voting in School 6.

An updated list of all polling locations in Union County is available at the Board of Elections website, ucnj.org/boe.

Ms. DiRado emphasized that the July 7 Primary will be conducted mainly through Vote-by-Mail ballot, under statewide guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

“We urge voters to use Vote-by-Mail as the most effective way to protect themselves and the Union County community, while participating in the July 7 Primary Election,” said Ms. DiRado. “However, pursuant to Governor Murphy’s Executive Order, a limited number of in-person polling places are available.”

The Board of Elections office at 271 North Broad Street in Elizabeth is also now open for in-person assistance. All visitors must wear masks and observe social distance guidelines. Regular office hours are weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The office will be open until 9:00 p.m. on the voter registration deadline of Tuesday, June 16. Voters may also contact the Board of Elections via email ucboe@ucnj.org or by calling 908-527-4123.

More information on all Board of Elections services is available at ucnj.org/boe.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Elections office at 271 North Broad Street in Elizabeth is open to visitors with business regarding Vote-by-Mail ballots and voter registration on a walk-in basis. There is no need to make an appointment.

Visitors are required to wear face masks and observe social distance guidelines while in the building, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Regular Board of Elections office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Office hours will be extended to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16 for the voter registration deadline.

“June 16 is the deadline for voter registration.  I encourage everyone to mail their registration forms in as soon as possible; postage is prepaid.  If you are not able to mail it, our office is open into the evening in order to accommodate as many residents as possible,” said Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado. “My staff is also happy to assist by phone or email.”

To contact the Board of Elections, email ucboe@ucnj.org or call 908-527-4123. All email and phone messages will be returned.

More information on all Board of Elections services is available at ucnj.org/boe.

For more information and updates on. all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County Freeholder Andrea Staten, Freeholder Angela Garretson and Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter joined the United Way of Greater Union County and members of County Government in Elizabeth in distributing food donated by Amazon.com through the United Way to various social service organizations throughout Union County. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union.).

Union County, NJ – In order to help Union County voters familiarize themselves with Vote-by-Mail procedures, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi has posted a new video titled, “How to Vote a Vote-by-Mail Ballot” on the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

The video is also available on the free Union County Votes app for mobile devices.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has mandated that the July 7 election will be conducted primarily by Vote-by-Mail.

“For many voters, this election will be the first time they are using a Vote-by-Mail ballot. I encourage all voters to watch the video to ensure they are filling out and returning their ballot correctly,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Ms. Rajoppi’s office has already begun mailing ballots to Union County voters, a process that is expected to take approximately two more weeks due to the volume of mail involved.

Ms. Rajoppi also encouraged voters to read the Vote-by-Mail FAQ’s available on the County Clerk’s elections website unioncountyvotes.com, and on the free Union County Votes mobile app.

“After learning about Vote-by-Mail through these online resources, voters who still have questions about the process can contact my office,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “My staff is available to help during regular business hours by phone or email.”

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com, or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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This event is now sold out and not accepting any more reservations.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced today that there will be a free Drive-Up showing of TOY STORY 4 at the Union County Vocational-Technical High School, 1776 Raritan Rd, Scotch Plains on Friday, June 19th, at or around 9 p.m.

Advanced reservations are required. To register, go to https://tinyurl.com/DriveUpMovie beginning 9 a.m. on June 12. The rain date for this event is Saturday, June 20th.

“COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines mean that many summer events have been cancelled and facilities remain closed or limited in their use,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This drive-up movie event is a great way for our residents to enjoy a ‘night out at the movies’ with their families while staying safe.”

The following rules and guidelines apply to residents wishing to attend:

• This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 orders, regarding social distancing and other protocols.
• The event is open to Union County residents ONLY.
• The event is free to attend but pre-registration is required.
• Due to space limitations reservations will be available on a first come, first served basis.
• To help promote social distancing, no walk-ups, bikes or chairs are permitted.
• Attendees must bring their own snacks and drinks. There will not be any food or drink available for purchase.
• Vehicles will be arranged at least 6’ apart with adequate social distancing.
• Attendees must stay in their vehicles (unless they need to use the port-o-johns)
• Port-o-johns and wash stations will be available. Masks and gloves will be required when using the port-o-johns.

Further details will be available to residents upon registration.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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 Connect with Union County on social media.